Max

The Butterfly Effect. The beat of a butterfly's wings in Europe can cause a hurricane in Oregon.

But, you know, fucking with time can do that, too.

—

My arms are wrapped around Chloe's midsection, and hers rest on my shoulders. The sound of glass shattering, houses being ripped apart, and the roaring of the wind echoes in my ears as the huge tornado rips through Arcadia Bay, far away from the lighthouse, where Chloe and I stand. Rain pounds on our backs, soaking our clothes through, water running from Chloe's chin to drip on my head. The water is a mix of rain and tears that fall slowly down my face. Each teardrop for the residents of Arcadia Bay, for all the people that I doomed.

Finally, after all this standing, all of this watching, my knees give out, and I sink to the ground, pulling Chloe down with me, her hands holding my shoulders tightly. She holds me close to her chest, almost cradling me. I look at her through blurry eyes, and I immediately notice her reddened eyes. She's...crying. For the second time this week, I'm watching my blue-haired, badass best friend cry. And it makes me sick, knowing that my best friend is watching the world she knew, be ripped to shreds by the storm I caused.

I begin muttering, "I'm sorry," over and over again, to Chloe, Joyce, David, Rachel, Victoria, Warren, Kate. Even Nathan, who was a jackass to so many of us. Apparently, Chloe hears my whispered apologies, because she holds me even tighter.

Somehow, even when something horrible happens to you, and you feel like the world should end... it doesn't. The world keeps spinning. Time still ticks forward. That's the hardest part, knowing hundreds of lives were just lost, and yet, only the survivors are left to pick up the broken pieces.

"Max? Wake up!" My shoulder shakes, and I feel a warm hand on my soaked arm. My eyes open a bit, to reveal Chloe sitting next to me, holding my shoulder, shaking it lightly.

The sun moves across the sky slowly, completely unfazed by the ruin below its rays. The town I once yearned to leave is completely obliterated, almost as though a bomb were dropped on Arcadia Bay.

A high-pitched keeling noise hits my eardrums, and with a start, I realize the sound came from me. I clap a hand over my mouth, but my eyes spill hot tears as I take in the destruction.

"No chance... there's no fucking way... shit... I caused this...", My words are garbled by the tears flowing freely down my face. Strong arms wrap around me, and lift me off the ground, bridal style. Wrapping my hands around Chloe's jacket, I bury my face into her chest, attempting to muffle my sobs. She heads off, probably for her old, rusted, banged up truck. Her footsteps measured, but quick, tells me she's trying get out here fast, and that I'm not helping at all.

Every so often, Chloe murmurs, "It's okay, Max, you're safe, I promise," or, "Breathe, Max, you're here with me, remember?" Only after what seems like seconds, we arrive at her truck, but Chloe doesn't set me down. She carries me to the passenger side of the truck, opens the door somehow, and gently sets me down on the old, faded, blue seats. She closes the door, and I look up wildly, searching for Chloe, only to see that she's just rounding the truck to get to the drivers side.

Chloe gets in and, without a word, begins driving out town. My quiet sniffles echo in the small cab, and I try to stop crying. After some breaths, I do calm down, but we drive right by the diner, which is smashed in by a huge pole.

"Holy shit! Joyce! No. No, no, no no, no, please, no!" My growing hysteria forces Chloe to pull over. She pulls me into her arms and holds me as I cry.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Joyce! I didn't want this to happen! I didn't want you or anybody to die! Fuck, I'm sorry." Apparently, Chloe starts driving again, because through hazy eyes, I watch as the scenery of the ruined Bay streaks past the windows. She only uses one hand to steer, since the other is wrapped loosely around my shoulders. Eventually, we reach the limits of Arcadia Bay, but neither of us look at it. Thankfully, I've finally stopped crying, but I'm feeling drained. My eyes drift shut, and I nod off, becoming oblivious to the world.

—

*Click!* Flash. *Click!* Flash.

Shit. Where am I? I try to move my hands, but they are bound together.

My body fills with dread and horror as I realize I'm in the Dark Room again. I fight like hell to break my bonds, but they hold. I feel a prick in my neck, and realize Jefferson just sedated me. I feel my strength draining away, yet my mind is still free to roam.

I'm back in the Dark Room... alone? Where's... Chloe. God, he killed her. That son of a bitch killed my best friend!

"Max. Max? Max!"